NEWARK – Florida Panthers coach Peter Horachek is facing the Devils and Pete DeBoer for the first time Saturday night at Prudential Center, but he knows what to expect.

The Devils, Horachek said, are better than their 18-18-9 record.

“I think he’s done a really good job,” Horachek said of DeBoer. “I watch them on film and their record shouldn’t be (an indicator). They look like they’re very structured. It seems like their systems are tight. It looks like a lot harder game that we’ll face.”

The two clubs have similar styles.

“This game tonight you’re not going to get as many (chances) as you did in other games. It’ll be a little closer to the vest,” Horachek predicted. “You’re going to have to be patient, you’re going to have to work hard. They play a very structured system down low in the zone. They play a different system in the neutral zone. They’re not going to be easy to play against. It’s going to be hard to get through the neutral zone and create. You have to work for your chances. You’re going to have to get a rebound, a second chance.”

Horachek was asked about assistant coach John Madden, a former Devils center.

“I think it’s been really good. He’s got a good awareness and he’s been in touch with what’s going on right now with the game. He’s got good insight,” Horachek said. “He’s added a lot of good advice and good information for me on the bench and off the ice. He’s been a real good resource for me.

“He’s still learning, obviously, but he’s embracing it. He likes it. It’s been really good so far.”

When he got the job as Panthers head coach, Horachek inherited assistant coaches Madden and Brian Skrudland.

“I inherited everybody. You come together as a group of people,” Horachek said. “You find out what makes people tick. You find out what makes people work well together. And they’ll find out what makes me tick, I’m going to find out what their strengths and weaknesses are and we’re going to continue to grow together. We have good communication. I want input from my assistants. I want their advice. I’m not asking them to make decisions, I’m asking them for their opinions.”